Rhode Island reaches deal doubling methane power at landfill

subscribe

A New Jersey firm has reached an agreement with Rhode Island authorities to double methane-fueled electricity production at the state's central landfill in Johnston, company officials said.

Ridgewood Renewable Power LLC currently operates a power facility capable of producing about 20.5 megawatts of electricity — enough to power roughly 15,000 homes — by burning the methane gas created by decomposing trash.

Ridgewood managing director Stephen Galowitz said the firm will invest roughly $80 million to renovate and expand its power plants so it can produce nearly 48 megawatts of electricity by 2010. Two of its three existing plants will be demolished or relocated so the landfill can expand.

The firm's current engines use methane gas power to propel pistons that ultimately generate electricity. Galowitz said his company wants to install new combustion turbines that create electricity by using the gas to spin a turbine blade. The system also will use the exhaust heat from the turbine to create additional electrical power.

"It's a more efficient technology," Galowitz said.

Ridgewood reached its agreement with the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp., which runs the state landfill, about two weeks ago. As part of the deal, Ridgewood will pay for the system that collects methane gas, a task that currently costs the landfill agency about $5 million annually.

The company must obtain air permits from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Related News

Ontario explores possibility of new, large scale nuclear plants

Ontario explores possibility of new, large scale nuclear plants

TORONTO - Ontario is exploring the possibility of building new, large-scale nuclear plants in order to meet increasing demand for electricity and phase out natural gas generation.

A report late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator found that the province could fully eliminate natural gas from the electricity system by 2050, starting with a moratorium in 2027, but it will require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation including new, large-scale nuclear plants.

Decarbonizing the grid, in addition to new nuclear, will require more conservation efforts, more renewable energy sources and more energy storage, the report concluded.

The IESO…

READ MORE
US nuclear innovation act

US nuclear innovation act becomes law

READ MORE

eskom powerlines

South Africa's Eskom could buy less power from wind farms during lockdown

READ MORE

Two-thirds of the U.S. is at risk of power outages this summer

READ MORE

offshore wind

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

READ MORE